Drink Drivers Warned: The Back Streets are No Safer

17 Sep 2006

MEDIA RELEASE: 17 SEPTEMBER 2006

Your chances of being caught drink-driving are higher than ever before and back streets are not a safer option, the TAC Minister John Lenders said today.

Launching a new public education campaign, Mr Lenders said the campaign reflected the increased level of police enforcement on our roads leading into the festive season, and reminded all motorists that drink-driving was not worth the risk.

�This campaign reinforces that every police car is equipped to conduct random breath-testing and back-streets are being targeted,� Mr Lenders said.

�Drink-driving is dangerous regardless of which road you take.

�In the twelve months to June this year, police conducted almost 3 million breath-tests across Victoria - about 50,000 per week. It�s not a case of if you will get breathalysed � but when.�

Mr Lenders urged motorists to consider the human cost of drink-driving.

�In the twelve months to May this year, 43 drivers and motorcyclists were killed in road crashes with Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels at or over .05,� Mr Lenders said. 

�Sadly, 37 per cent of those killed were young people aged between 21 and 29. This in itself is very sobering. However, drink-driving is not just a young driver issue; 56 per cent of drivers and motorcyclists killed were over the age of 30.

�In addition to those lives lost on our roads, many more are seriously injured. The ripple effect of road trauma extends to family, friends and the broader community,� he said. 

Mr Lenders said although this year�s road toll is lower than at the same time last year, it was not a time for complacency, particularly leading into the AFL finals and the spring racing carnival.

�If you suspect you might be near or over the limit, don�t drive. It�s not worth the risk of losing your licence, or worse, losing someone you care about,� Mr Lenders said.

�If you�re with a friend who wants to drive after a few drinks � do what you can to stop them, because when the unexpected happens, it may be too late for a second chance.�

The latest TAC campaign comes after 30 years of random breath testing in Victoria and builds on road safety programs like the State Government�s arrive alive strategy, that aims reduce serious injury and death by 20 per cent by 2007.

The TV component of the campaign will screen from tonight. Targeted outdoor advertisements will support the campaign, carrying the message that the back streets are full of surprises.

Drink-driving remains a major contributor to road trauma in Victoria.  Each year, about a quarter of all drivers and motorcyclists killed have a BAC at or over 05.

Advice for motorists:

• Plan your transport before you have a drink. Nominate a designated driver who agrees not to drink, use public transport or taxis, or plan to stay overnight.
• As a passenger, don�t accept a lift from someone who has been drinking and may be at or over the legal limit. Say something to discourage them from driving.
• If you�re having one or two responsible drinks, make sure you eat beforehand, and alternate your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones.
• Remember that your BAC can continue to rise for up to two hours after your last drink.
• The only way to reduce your BAC level is to allow time for your body to process the alcohol.
• Excessive drinking the night before can still put you over the legal limit the next day.
• Driving at .05 doubles your risk of crashing; and at 0.10 you�re seven times more at risk.